AP World History Summer Reading Assignment
Over the summer you are to read one of the following books:
1) A History of the World in Six Glasses by Tom Standage: This is a very popular book, which
explores six different drinks and describes how they reflected the time period during which they
were very popular. You will need to treat the sections under the drinks as separate chapters.
2) An Edible History of Humanity by Tom Standage: By tracing the history of food production,
Standage hopes to explore the major themes of world history. It is well written and does an
excellent job with covering big picture issues.
3) A Splendid Exchange: How Trade Shaped the World by William J. Bernstein: It covers world
history by exploring the role of trade and cultural diffusion. It is a bit more challenging than the
other choices, but it is worth the effort.
4) When Asia was the World by Stewart Gordon: It is a series of short stories about individual
people who traveled around the Indian Ocean between 500 and 1500 CE. The goal is examine
major themes of this time period and the highlights of South Asia.
5) Big History by Cynthia Stokes Brown: If you into science, this is your history book. This book is
part of a movement in history to use science, biology and environmental studies to explore history.
Humans do not appear until about one-third of the way into the book.
Winchester Book Gallery on the Old Towne Mall has them in stock and at 20% off of the list price.
When the 20% off is combined with no shipping or handling, it becomes a good price.
You are asked to do two assignments with the book. The first is to keep a journal using Cornell notes as
you read the book. As you read the preface, introduction and each chapter, you are to keep a Cornell-style
journal. The format is not as important as demonstrating that you have read and thought about the material.
These may be handwritten or typed. Be careful that your work is your own.
A. On the left side of the notebook, you are to take reading notes on each chapter. For each chapter,
these must include: the main ideas of each chapter, an explanation of what the author is discussing and
specific examples. These may be in bulleted form.
B. On the right side, you are to write your thoughts about what you are reading, in context to history
and geography, and you are to write the key vocabulary words (with definitions), and the key people in
each chapter ( with an brief explanation of who they are). For the right side, you will need to create a
specific pattern that you want to follow as you read each chapter.
Cornell-style Notes: Chapter 1: Title
Your reading notes will go on these pages.
You should have the one or two main ideas of each
chapter, an explanation of what the author is
discussing and specific examples from the reading.
Thoughts and Reflections on Ch. 1: Title
1. Your thoughts based on the context of world
history and geography.
2. Vocabulary with definitions
3. Key individuals with explanations
4. Any things you did not understand in the chapter.
The second assignment is to write three paragraphs at the end of the journal answering the following
questions. You should provide specific evidence.
1. What is the thesis of the book---what is the author arguing or trying to prove? How is your
evidence?
2. Does the author prove the thesis?
3. In your opinion, is this a thorough treatment of the topic/thesis? Why?
Your answers must show evidence to support them.
Summer Reading Rubric
Name ______________________________
Cornell Style Notes summaries
Did you identify the major points of the chapter?
Thoughts and Reflections
Did you give your reactions to the chapter,
identify vocabulary, and individuals?
42 points possible:
Actual:
43 points possible:
Actual:
Did you identify the thesis and provide
evidence?
5 points possible
Did you explain how the author proved the
thesis?
5 points possible
Did you provide your opinion on the thesis?
5 points possible
Total Points____________________________